Tips for Healthy Eating

Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats, fish and eggs to reduce the risk of bacterial infection for you and your baby. Some of the bacterial infections from uncooked foods can travel to your baby and cause permanent damage.

Also steer clear of fast-foods like bhel puri, samosas and wada from roadside stalls as the purity of water that is used is questionable. Infested water may lead to typhoid, food poisoning, jaundice, etc., which can cause you great distress and may force you to consume strong drugs that may affect your baby.

Even sandwiches and juices from a roadside stall may be harmful.

If you are a vegetarian, you must pay special attention to getting enough of the nutrients normally found in animal products for example, vitamin D, calcium and vitamin B12, iron and protein.

Artificial sweeteners - cyclamate and saccharin - are not recommended for use during pregnancy. Foods or beverages containing other sweeteners should not take the place of more nutritious foods. Avoid using foods or beverages containing sweetener, aspartame (sugar substitute).

If you have nausea during your pregnancy, try to eat 5 to 6 small snacks per day. Cold foods and drinks may be easier to tolerate than hot items. Sometimes it helps to drink beverages 30-60 minutes after eating solid foods. Eat slowly and relax after meals

Ajinomoto is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, a nonessential amino acid used to enhance food flavours. It destroys nerve cells in the brain, and hence avoidable during pregnancy.